LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealthcare and Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today are
bringing the DanceDanceRevolution (DDR CE) Classroom Edition
“exergame” to the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada, where local
youths will use the popular dance game to have fun and improve their
fitness.

Today’s event is part of a collaboration with KONAMI and the Boys &
Girls Club of Southern Nevada to help reduce childhood obesity through
exergaming, which refers to video games that are also a form of
exercise. This is the first DDR CE unit available to children in Nevada.

“Finding new ways to improve the health and well-being of young people
in Las Vegas is crucial for the future of our community,” said Pat
Skorkowsky, superintendent for Clark County. “By making exercise both
fun and accessible, this program will help our city’s youths get more
active and improve their fitness.”

This program builds on UnitedHealthcare’s expertise in developing
practical solutions to help tackle childhood obesity. UnitedHealthcare
and KONAMI have been working together to bring exergaming to youths
across the nation by offering DDR CE units nationwide.

More than a third of Nevada children, and children nationwide, are either
overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). Among all Nevada residents, the state ranks 17th
for physical inactivity and 18th for obesity, according to
UnitedHealth Foundation's 2013
America's Health Rankings.

“The DDR Classroom Edition helps teach kids that physical
activity can be fun and enjoyable, while fostering the development of
healthy attitudes and habits that can last a lifetime,” said Laurine
Tibaldi, M.D., FHM, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare of Nevada.
“Our partnership with KONAMI and the Boys & Girls Club of Southern
Nevada engages young people in improving their health and represents an
important step toward reducing childhood obesity in our state.”

Studies indicate exergaming has the potential to reduce the growing
obesity epidemic among children and adults. A recent study
by George Washington University found exergames “spurred students to
move enough to meet the recommended intensity criteria for vigorous
activity” and that these games are “a useful alternative to traditional
physical education.”

DDR Classroom Edition is an interactive video game that combines
physical activity with energetic music and visuals. The game and
associated hardware technology, developed by Performance Designed
Products, enables dozens of students to participate simultaneously,
using wireless mat controllers featuring a smart card reader that tracks
each student’s individual progress.

“Since DanceDanceRevolution's debut, KONAMI has been at the
forefront of exergaming. DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition
is a shining example of our ongoing commitment to create fun, innovative
and interactive ways for young people to get exercise,” said Clara Baum,
senior director of strategic marketing and partnerships, Konami Digital
Entertainment, Inc. “We applaud UnitedHealthcare and the Boys & Girls
Club for taking advantage of exergaming and DanceDanceRevolution
Classroom Edition as a solution for combating childhood obesity.”

About UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare
is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by
simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and
wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care
providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit
programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid
beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 800,000 physicians
and care professionals, and 6,000hospitals and other care
facilities nationwide. Globally, UnitedHealthcare serves more than 45million
people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth
Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being
company.